There’s a famous quip circulated
among writers: The craft is easy. You
just sit down at your desk and open a
vein. In his latest book, Koch does one
better. He pries off his skull, splits open
his brain and invites the reader in.

What’s inside is fascinating. Through
scenes from his life as a wandering
child, an ambitious young researcher
and an erudite professor, Koch
describes his compulsion to discover
the roots of consciousness.

The book is a testament to the power
of the subjective. Koch lays bare his most
profound losses, confronts his mortality and describes his wildest ideas all in
the confessional style of St. Augustine.

One of his chief confessions: At heart,
Koch is a romantic who sees a world
brimming with meaning. This deeply
philosophical view anchors the book,
which includes quotes from Haruki
Murakami, Oscar Wilde and Dante.

Also near Koch’s heart, though, is the
seemingly contrary scientific desire to

The Science of Sin

Simon M. Laham

Contrary to popular belief, experienc-ing anger may make a person moreoptimistic and more likely to changelong-held opinions. Swelling with pridecan increase agreeability, while grow-ing lusty could make a person moreattentive, more creative and even morecharitable, suggestsLaham in this prom-ising debut.

With a provoca-tive wit (in the firstchapter he encour-ages readers to graba bra so that they canexperience a studyfirsthand), Laham, an experimentalpsychologist, reveals how indulging inthe seven deadly sins can be advanta-geous. After briefly explaining thehistory of the deadlies— Pope Gregorythe Great, elaborating on the work of

untangle the incredibly complex questions of consciousness—what it is, who
has it and why. In his wide-ranging discussion of the latest brain science, Koch
points out examples of experiments that
provide some clues. His crisp descriptions of science capture the essence
without a trace of puffed-up jargon.

Along the way, Koch discussesfree will (which hecalls a “scholarlyminefield” beforecharging straight in);animal conscious-ness (he no longereats mammals orbirds); and howreligion fits into hisview of the universe (he has graduallylost his Catholic faith).

Koch weaves a vivid and poignant
story, punctuated by fascinating characters and compelling science. The
book will leave you with a small piece
of Koch’s own consciousness, plucked
from his head and delivered into yours.

— Laura Sanders

MIT Press, 2012, 184 p., $24.95

monks, popularized them in the sixth
century—Laham explores recent
research into the “fascinating complexity” of lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, anger,
envy and pride and their effects on the
human psyche.

In his chapter on envy, Laham
describes an experiment in which participants, some of whom read a brief
description of an extremely successful peer, were asked to imagine novel
uses for a brick. “The envious, upwardly
comparing participants were more creative, thinking of more things to do with
a brick than the controls,” he writes.
Laham’s favorite use for the brick: as
a mock coffin at a Barbie funeral.

As he discusses psychological studies,
Laham provides expert analysis without bombarding readers with technical
terms. It’s a fun, rapid read, but also a
probing look at an engrossing field of
scientific inquiry. — Nick Bascom

The Best Writing on
Mathematics 2011
Mircea Pitici, ed.

This anthology offersan overview of storieswritten for a popularaudience about themysteries and everyday uses of math.Princeton Univ., 2012, 414 p., $19.95

DDT and theAmerican CenturyDavid KinkelaScience and politicscollide in this historyof one of the world’smost controversialpesticides. Univ. of North Carolina,2011, 272 p., $39.95